Given all the hype I've seen about this, I was surprised that it wasn't better and more original. The plot is pretty standard: underdog fights incrediGiven all the hype I've seen about this, I was surprised that it wasn't better and more original. The plot is pretty standard: underdog fights incredible odds and learns valuable lessons along the way. Much of the talk about the book focuses on the many (many) geek cultural references--mainly from the 80s, but reaching from the 50s to Firefly--strewn through the text. They are fun, but I would have appreciated them more if they were explained a little less; they're not allusions, they're citations. The world-building is laborious and yet slight, with long explanations of how brilliant it all is. There was one point where I was actually intrigued by the plot, only to have the tension thrown away on a quick escape. The characters are straight out of an 80's movie, as is the resolution. In the end, this is about as much fun as listening to someone tell you about this great D&D campaign they once played. ...more

Although I guessed the murderer when I was only 40% through the book, Penny's wonderful characters kept me easily reading to the end. Clara's grief ovAlthough I guessed the murderer when I was only 40% through the book, Penny's wonderful characters kept me easily reading to the end. Clara's grief over Jane's death was so beautifully written that I found myself moved to tears--easily the first time I've ever cried at the fate of a mystery victim. At times the personal dynamics of the investigation team began to grate, but I expect to care more about those as I read more. I especially enjoyed the way art was woven into the story, with an understanding that both process and product are entirely idiosyncratic. ...more

Not quite as delightful as The Grand Sophy, but fun and well-written. The characters were, if anything, even more well-drawn, and the way she worked dNot quite as delightful as The Grand Sophy, but fun and well-written. The characters were, if anything, even more well-drawn, and the way she worked different aspects of period life into the book were both natural and interesting. Oddly, I found the wit being on the man's side less satisfying, but I love how Heyer makes love both radically surprising and inevitable. ...more

I didn't know anything about Among the Wonderful before I started it, except that it was written by a family friend. Its story, of P.T. Barnum's AmeriI didn't know anything about Among the Wonderful before I started it, except that it was written by a family friend. Its story, of P.T. Barnum's American Museum in New York, is fascinating and the characters with which Carlson populates it are mesmerizing. At times the threads of the plot get tangled, but the voices of the narrating characters are so clear that one follows them effortlessly through the puzzle box galleries of the story. A huge achievement and many congratulations to the author!...more

An interesting character-study set in a convincing world of oppression, examining on a manageable scale questions of identity--both individual and asAn interesting character-study set in a convincing world of oppression, examining on a manageable scale questions of identity--both individual and as a species--and how our errors create us. The main character is hardly a likeable one, but he is, as he frequently remarks, one tough sonofabitch, and as his story and circumstances unfold, he can even be sympathetic. The adventure is inventive and the questions raised leave the reader with food for thought. ...more

When you picture yourself lying on the couch eating bon-bons and reading novels, this is the novel you are reading. The style is Jane Austen as writteWhen you picture yourself lying on the couch eating bon-bons and reading novels, this is the novel you are reading. The style is Jane Austen as written by Oscar Wilde. The characters are a joy and the wit flows readily. There's a slow section towards the end as all the ducks get in a row--with ducklings getting underfoot the whole time--but the finale is deeply satisfying. ...more

A very fresh and exciting voice with a fantastic mix of sf and magic realism. The characters are fleshed out, the relationships ring true and the pithA very fresh and exciting voice with a fantastic mix of sf and magic realism. The characters are fleshed out, the relationships ring true and the pithy metaphors litter the page. I picked this up as a free Kindle book and am excited to read more of Beukes work. ...more

I enjoyed this book on so many levels, from the nitty-gritty of a big-wave surfer's life to the number-crunching of wave researchers and climate scienI enjoyed this book on so many levels, from the nitty-gritty of a big-wave surfer's life to the number-crunching of wave researchers and climate scientists. By alternating chapters between the surfers and the scientists, Casey created an interesting balance between two different sorts of obsession with giant water. I'm left with the impression that heroin is a cheaper and easier-on-the-body way than surfing to get a premium high, but it was fascinating to follow the exploits and impressions of one particular tribe of lunatics. The data of the scientific sections is sobering and exciting in a very different way--the ocean is ever changeable and we continue to understand very little of it while depending on it in so many different ways. This is the sort of book that comes up in conversation again and again--I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys both adventure and greater understanding of the world we live in....more